At Total Nonstop Wrestling’s fan interaction at the Ameristar Casino in ST Charles Missouri on April 17th. During the festivities that included a meet and greet with some of the top pro wrestling stars in the world today. Nick Ridenour and I presented wrestling greats Ric Flair, Dory Funk JR, Bobby “The Brain Heenan”and Baron Von Raschke with their St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame Plaques.
The St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame can be seen at the Historic South Broadway Athletic Club in St Louis Mo 7th & Shenndoa. Fan that would like to check out the next wrestling show will be on May 8th at 7 pm.
The ST Louis Wrestling Hall of fame was opened in 2007 by former owner and promoter of the St. Louis Wrestling Club Larry Matysik. He has been joined by directors promoters Tony Costas Herb Simmons, webmaster Mitch Martsey, sports journalist Keith Schildroth, and longtime fan Nick Ridenour. Although these directors oversee the selection process, the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame is unique because it is the only wrestling hall of fame that allows fans to vote for potential inductees
A dream came true for me at Total Nonstop Wrestling’s Fan Interaction in ST Louis on April 17. I was honored when my friend from the St Louis Hall of Fame Nick Ridenour asked me to present one of the greatest NWA World Champions of all time Dory Funk JR, the one and only Bobby the Brain Heenan and Baron von Raschke their St Louis Wrestling Hall of fame plaques live during the TNA Legends main event that also included Jimmy Hart, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Sting.
To say that I was nervous would be an understatement but it will be a day that I will never forget and will always be grateful for. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the members of the ST Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame committee
After we were done Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Jeff Ruoss was on hand to present Funk Jr, Heenan, Raschke and Hart their Lifetime achievement awards.
Total Nonstop Wrestling returned to ST Louis with their PPV Lockdown on April 18th in ST Charles Family Arena with the highlight being the night before at the TNA Fan interaction.
I had attended the first St Louis’s TNA Lockdown and though I felt as if the fan interaction was worth it, the PPV had been a disappointment in my opinion. I must confess I enjoy attending independent wrestling over going too today’s “Big Two”.
The selling point for me was the fact that they were including a “Legends Main Event” in this Fan Interaction with three of the biggest stars to ever grace the sport Hulk Hogan, Sting and my personal favorite “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair at the end of the night with a bonus of having two of the most influential Managers in Pro Wrestling “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and Bobby “The Brain” Hennan along with one of the greatest wrestlers to grace the sport Dory Funk JR. and “The Clawmaster” Baron Von Raschke.
Some great times was to be had throughout the weekend as we caught up with some old friends and met some new ones. If the TNA wrestlers were on a grading system for their treatment of the fans I would have to give them an impressive A+. Some could complain that the lines took a lot of time to get through but one of the big reasons was the wrestlers were so friendly and took the time to meet the fans. Making the experience that much more enjoyable.
When the time was up for “The Band” Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan and many of the fans had yet to get their autograph or picture they each let TNA know that they were not going to leave until everyone had received what they were promised.
Thanks to my friends at the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame I was asked to present Dory Funk Jr, Bobby Hennan and Baron Von Raschke along with my friend Nick Ridenour with their Hall of fame Plaques during the fan interaction. I was so pumped up about it I could barley calm down; in fact I am still hyped up about it four days later. Regardless it will be forever in my top ten moments of my life as latter I would also be a part giving my favorite wrestler of All-Time Ric Flair his plaque.
Words can’t give justice to my appreciation to Nick, Herb Simmons, Larry Matysik, Tony Costa webmaster Mitch Martsey, sports journalistKeith Schildroth, and the rest of the crew at the ST Louis Hall of Fame for having me a part of this historic occasion.
Look for video of both the ST Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame and Pro Wrestling Illustrated in the near future at MWR.
If you would like to check out the ST Louis Hall of Fame your next chance will be on May 8th at the South Broadway Athletic Club. For more information on the ST Louis Hall of Fame check out their myspace here.
The PPV Would be solid and most importantly a LOT of fun. During the evening Kurt Angle showed why he is in my mind the best wrestler since Ric Flair when he and Ken Anderson tore down the house. Team 3D was on fire and ST Louis fans proved that it is truly Flair country when he was asked to leave by the ref prior to the AJ Styles – D’Angelo Dinero the fans chanted “We want Flair” chants. Jeff Hardy would show why he is one of the most fearless (or crazy) wrestlers to ever grace the sport during the main event giving Team Hogan a huge advantage over Team Flair.
My girlfriend Dubray had no clue who Rob Van Dam was on Friday evening but by Sunday she was into putting her hands behind her back as RVD’S Music was on chanting ROB-VAN-DAM proving just how over with the fans he is.
TNA would wisely give RVD the chance for the TNA Title the next night on Spike and he would go on to defeat AJ Styles for his first ever TNA World Championship. Some may argue that they gave away a PPV Match on free TV but my opinion is such that RVD can have a full year of PPV matches with just about anyone on the roster including a rematch with the very talented AJ Styles .This weekend and his win will hopefully be the direction that TNA is headed.
I would run into local wrestling talents Chris Havius, Shorty Biggs, Kiwi Jello and Dorian Victor . Local Promoters Herb Simmons and TNT Keny G was in the house while the legends made their appearance during the TNA Title match between Styles and Pope.
In this weekend blast you will see the pictures of the TNA After party hosted by Mike Gordon at Side Pockets in St Charles. Surprise guest were Ken Anderson, James Storm, Chris Sabin and Brian Kendrick. Anderson and Strom was their when I entered the building and was busy signing autographs and taking pictures with fans while being with their respective friends and family. Their patience and kindness with the fans made me fans of the two of them for life. Sabin and Kendrick came later and was just as polite. With a 12:00 closing time on Sunday and the TNA Stars less than 24 hours from having to be in Florida for TNA Impact that made their kindness that much more special.
Once again it was great hanging with old friends during the weekend like Drew and Gary, Chuck and Dave along with new friends Shawn and his girlfriend , Kyle and the Awesome Bomb Radio team just to name a few. A big thanks you to TNA’ and Bob Ryder for his kindness as well.
I hope you enjoy this exclusive look at TNA Lockdown weekend at MWR.
Jeremy Borash and So Cal Val pump up the fans early in the morning.
Alex Shelly and Chris Sabin (The Motor City Machine Guns) enjoy a visit from a young fan.
TNA Founder Jeff Jarrett should be proud of the Fan Interaction.
Kelly and Jesse Neal
Former WWE Diva, Playboy model and current TNA darling Christy Hemme prepares to meet her fans.
“The Freak” Rob Terry is HUGE
TNA’S Secret weapon “The Beautiful People.”
Eric Bischoff was playing around here without Dubray knowing it. After she saw it she said isn’t that a bit creepy? Which I had to laugh. Bischoff was having fun just like all the TNA guys during the week
Chuck Maddox Black Hogan and Dave Krohn
The Pope D'Angelo Dinero loves the camera.
Scott Hall and TNA’S President Dixie Carter
The presentation for Bobby Hennan, Dory Funk Jr. and Baron Von Raschke for the St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame plaques.
The great Dory Funk JR is honored with a PWI Lifetime achievement award from PWI’S Jeff Ruoss
Jimmy Hart is proud of the PWI Lifetime achievement award given to him from PWI’S Jeff Ruoss.
PWI’S Jeff Ruoss Gives The Clawmaster his lifetime achievement award.
Ric Flair was all smiles as he came to his station.
Two of the all time greats Sting and Ric Flair would be on the same side at Lockdown.
Go Team Hogan !!
Jimmy Hart with Hulk Hogan put in extra hours.
Kyle gets autographs from Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore.
Pro Wrestling Royalty Lacey Von Erich
Kurt Angle and Dave Krohn
Rob Van Dam just one day away from become champion of the World.
ST Louis Promoter Herb Simmons with SoCal Val
Just one action photo that caught the energy of the night as one of my favorites Team 3D has the crowd in the palm of their hands.
Mini Keny enjoys TNA Wrestling LIVE!!
The adult radio wrestling show Awesome bomb Radio’s host gives Don West a hug.
My good friends Drew Gary Dubray and myself with the Awesome Bomb Radio crew.
TNA Afterparty at Side Pockets
Ken Anderson with one of his many fans after an awesome match with Kurt Angle.
Brandon with Beer Money’s James Storm at Side Pockets.
Pete with Ken Anderson
Patrick and Chris Sabin
I’m sad to say that Dixie Carter did not offer me a job at TNA but she was kind enough to take this picture with Dubray and I.
Tim Miller, Brian Kelley,Tony Costa, Kari Williams and Dubray Tallman. (Photo Credit Michael R Van Hoogstraat)
On April 3r at a packed house at the South Broadway Athletic Club myself , Head write Kari Williams and fan relations Dubray Tallman was in the middle of the ring with Promoter Tony Costa and Tim Miller with the 2009 MWR Promotion of the Year.
The Promotion of the Year is always the most debated among the MWR Awards committee due to the fact there are so many good promotions running today.
In 2009 MMWA-SICW continued to be one of the top drawing shows in the Midwest. They ran over 30 shows while celebrating their 50 Years at Chase that received a full spread in the St Louis Dispatch did a complete and separate spread on 50 years at the Chase with the old stars such Harley Race, Johnny Valentine, Jack Brisco and new stars in Gary Jackson, the Lumberjacks, Dave Vaughn and more.
The MMWA-SICW was also active in work with the community. Announcer and Executive Director Tim Miller had been instrumental with giving back. MMWA-SICW lent a helping hand in the benefit the family of fallen police officer Julius Moore who was killed due to the result of injuries sustained during an on-duty vehicle accident on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. He was 23 years old. The event raised more than $2200 through food sales alone to benefit Police Officer Julius Moore’s family including his three young children, two sons and a daughter all under the age of 5. The event was covered by the press and over 2,000 people showed up to support the cause.
In 2009 MMWA-SICW have given the fans a chance to meet the stars of wrestling by having Harley race, Dave Hebner, Bob Hardcore Holly, Larry Matysik ,Mickey Garagioloa and most recently the wild popular Baron Von Raschke.
These were just a few of the reason why they were chosen as the MWR Promotion of the year.
Once again we would like to thank MMWA-SICW for their hospitality and I highly recommend that you check out them in 2010.
On a personal note I was very excited to be invited up the commentating booth by Herb Simmons during the title match between Champion Dave Vaughn and Phil E Blunt. I was nervous up till I left the booth so I can’t be honest on how well i did but it was truly a great time .
MWR Fans you will not want to miss the chance to listen in on the St Louis Nostalgia show this Saturday April 3rd at 11am athttp://kzqz1430am.com/. Your host Herb Simmons and co-host Larry Matysik will interview wrestling great Dory Funk JR. Callers are welcomed to call in at the radio station at 1-888-394-1430.
Dory Funk JR is the son of Dory Funk SR and brother of Terry Funk. On February 11, 1969 in Tampa, Florida, Dory Funk JR would defeat Gene Kiniski and remained NWA World Champion for the next four and a half years, which is the second-longest uninterrupted reign of any NWA World Champion (Lou Thesz held the NWA world title from November 27, 1949, to March 15, 1956).
Dory’s ties to the Midwest are very tight as he would defend the NWA Championship against Black Jack Lanza with Bobby Heenan, Dick the Bruiser and Baron Von Raschke in classic match ups. Dory Funk Jr would lose his NWA World Championship in the Midwest against Harley Race in Kansas on City May 24, 1973. The match would earn Funk JR and Race the 1973 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Match of the year honors. Dory Funk JR would earn the 1974 PWI Match of the Year honors once again, this time against Jack Brisco In Tokyo Japan.
Dory is the innovator and master of the Texas cloverleaf submission hold and thrilled fans as he sold out arenas the world with great matches. At WrestleMania 2 Dory teamed with his brother Terry as they defeated the Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana.
No wrestling Hall of Fame is complete without Dory Funk 50 plus years of wrestling greatness. Last year Dory was inducted in the WWE Hall of fame by Dusty Rhodes. Dory Funk JR is also a member of the Cauliflower Alley Club (Class of 1998), NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2006), Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum (Class of 2005), St Louis Hall of Fame (Class of 2008) and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996).
Former NWA World champions Terry Funk, Jack Brisco, Harley Race and Dory Funk Jr. strike a pose at the 2005 NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest in Charlotte.
Dory would continue to be an impact in the sport as he would go on to train WWE World Champions Edge, Lita and Mickie James and TNA World Champions Kurt Angle, Christian and Rhino.
Wrestling fans you will not want to miss the chance to speak to one of the most influential wrestlers to ever lace up the boots. Remember to listen this Saturday at 11 am on at http://kzqz1430am.com/to hear from the former World Champion Dory Funk JR speak with St Louis’s Herb Simmons and co-host Larry Matysik. To call in do not forget 1-888-394-1430.
Throughout the history of Pro Wrestling there has been Superstars that excelled in amateur sports including wrestling. Wrestling fans have embraced them and quickly take notice of their talents. Today’s stars Kurt Angle, Bobby Lashley , Jack Swagger,Scott Steiner and Brock Lesnar have all been a part of these elite wrestlers that have shown that they are complete athletes by having their hand raised outside of the squared circle.
This Saturday Midwest wrestling fans will get to meet a guy that is in the same league as the gentlemen I just mentioned. Baron Von Raschke is one of the most memorable wrestlers of all time. “The Master of the Claw” Raschke has sent fear in fans and wrestlers alike in his storied career before being loved by all.
Jim Raschke would fine success early in life when his High School football team in Omaha North, in Omaha Nebraska won the 1957 Football state Championship with Jim in the starting lineup. A year later he would become the Nebraska High School Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.
In 1959 Jim would enroll at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he was under the coaching of Olympic Champion Bill Smith, Mickey Sporano and Bobby Mancuso. In his last year at the UN Jim wins the Big 8 conference championship as a Heavyweight while completing a B.S. in Biology.
Out of collage Jim won a spot wins a spot on the U.S. team which competes at the World Games in Halsingborg, Sweden. He becomes the second American to win a medal in Greco-Roman wrestling by capturing the Bronze medal.
After being drafted, Jim joined the Army wrestling team. In 1964 he wins AAU National Championships in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. He wins gold medals in 1964 and 1965 in the Army wrestling championships and in the Interservice championships. 1964 is an Olympic year and Jim earned a spot on the U.S. team by winning the Greco-Roman wrestling try-outs. Unfortunately, a hyper-extended elbow took Jim out of competition just days before the team leaves for Tokyo.
In 1966 Jim would get the chance to train with Promoter and Wrestler Verne Gagne in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Gagne, one of the most complete wrestlers of his day had won two NCAA titles at the University of Minnesota was able to give Jim valuable advice on the difference between amateur wrestling and professional wrestling.
1967 will go down in history as the year that Mad Dog Vachon would transform Jim into BARON VON RASCHKE hailing from Germany. Raschke would terrorize fan favorites around the world for years to come.
Raschke would be managed in the early 70’s by one of the most influential managers of all time Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. During that time he would wrestle a actual bear (yes a real live bear!)
In St Louis Missouri during a match at the Kiel Auditorium Pat O’Connor told Raschke to put the claw on him. Raschke asked, (whispers) “What’s the claw?” O’Connor would guided Raschke through it and a legend was born earning him the Nickname “The Clawmaster”
Throughout the 70’s the Baron would travel to Japan including a main event in Tokyo against Giant Baba. He would also challenge former mentor Verne Gagne for the AWA Championship and make a tour of Vince McMahon Sr. WWWF. While in the WWWF his claw hold was “censored” by a huge RED “X” on WWWF TV because of the blood it would draw when applied.
One of the most impressive notes on his resume was that he is one of the few men ever to defeat Bruno Sammartino. Later on he would hold onto many single titles including being recognized as the first ever NWA TV Champion. Raschke was in successful tag teams with Mad Dog Vachon, Paul Jones, Greg Valentine, Hans Schmidt.
On May 1984 Raschke and the Crusher would win the AWA Tag team titles by defeating Jerry Blackwell & Ken Patera. They would go on to lose them belts to the young powerful tag team the Road Warriors in August.
You can purchase the Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. released video game Legends of Wrestling II featuring 65 pro wrestling greats ithat included Baron von Raschke.
I have been fortunate to get to meet the Baron at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Newton, Iowa in the past and though he did not know me, he was one of the nicest guys I have met in the sport.
While doing research for this article I had found a statement on Baron Von Raschke that said “In side the ring Raschke was one the most hated and remembered wrestlers of all time. But outside the ropes he is one of the most well respected and loved human beings in the business.”
I can only reply to that statement with Baron’s most famous quote.
“Dat is all da people need to know!”
To meet the Baron live and in person do not miss this Saturday when MMWA-SICW returns Saturday to East Carondelet Community Center to honor Baron Von Raschke in the 2009 St Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame. East Carondelet, Ill (south of St. Louis and across the river)
8pm start time.
The Baron will be signing autographs and meeting fans at a wrestling event. Tune in to KZQZ (1430 AM) on your radio dial at 3:00 PM on December 12th to hear the Baron interviewed.
This week I am excited to take the trip to Waterloo Iowa for the annual George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. A wonderful weekend set aside for wrestling fans old and alike to pay respect to the sport that they love.
On Friday July 10, Harley Race’s World League Wrestling will excite the fans with a Night of the Legends pro card at Young Arena. This is one event every year that I mark on my calander and so should you.
Thanks to World League Wrestling I was able to catch up with rising star “The Vietnam Phenom” Bao Nguyen eariler this year.
Nguyen is scheduled to be at the Night of the Legends card along with WLW Stars “King of the 450” Steve Anthony, Brian Breaker, Curt Hennig’s daughter Amy, Ricky Steamboat Jr, Darin Waid, Jason Jones and WLW Champion “Superstar” Steve Fender.
The pro hall of fame is located inside the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum. The museum was nearly destroyed by the historic flood of June 10, 2008, but re-opened this month.
The 11 th class is comprised of living wrestlers Nick Bockwinkel, longtime world heavyweight champion in the AWA; Ricky Steamboat, a superstar in the WWF, and Fritz Von Goering, who wrestled many of the top stars of the 1950s and ‘60s, and all five of the other inductees at one point in his long career.
Three deceased wrestlers are also being inducted: Bronko Nagurski, Luther Lindsay and Karl Gotch.
Bockwinkel was the son of former pro star Warren Bockwinkel and was a top college football prospect at Oklahoma University before injuries put him on the sidelines. He then turned his attention to pro wrestling full time, early in the 1950s. Over the next 30 years, he wrestled every major star in the business and held the AWA world heavyweight title for nearly seven years, as well as dozens of lesser belts. One of the most popular heels in wrestling history, he has been president of the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC) for the past several years and resides in Las Vegas.
A native of Hawaii, Steamboat was an amateur wrestler in Florida before entering the pro ranks in 1976, for Verne Gagne’s AWA. He entered the WWF in 1985 and became known as The Dragon and often struck karate poses in the ring, and electrified the crowds with his skills and antics. His title bouts with Ric Flair are among the best matches of the past two decades. Ricky captured the NWA world championship in 1989. He retired 1994 and lives today in Denver, N.C., working for the WWE.
Von Goering was a street-tough kid from Chicago when he turned pro in 1950. He learned the business the hard way, traveling around the country to take on the biggest names in the industry and learning all he could. He spent gym time with pure wrestlers like Dick Hutton, Lou Thesz and Luther Lindsay to learn the craft and today is one of the last from his generation. He won numerous regional titles in his 27-year career. He lives in Campbell, California.
From northern Minnesota, Bronko Nagurski is one of the greatest football players of all time, and is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Professional Football Hall of Fame. While starring with the Chicago Bears in the late 1930s, Nagurski approached Lou Thesz about wrestling in the off-season and used his great athletic skills to become a huge draw in wrestling, holding the world NWA title several times in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He died in 1990, at age 82.
Lou Thesz was one of many who considered Luther Lindsay the best African-American wrestler of all time. Big, powerful and fast, he played football at Hampton Institute in Norfolk, VA, and later in the Canadian football league. He then turned to pro wrestling and was trained by Stu Hart in the art of hooking. Well known for his skills and athletic abilities in the ring, he was popular outside the ring as well. He died from a heart attack during a match in 1972, at the age of 47.
Karl Gotch holds a near mythical spot in the history of wrestling. A native of Belgium, he made the 1948 Olympic team at age 18. He then moved to England, where he trained in the legendary Wigan “Snake Pit,” learning hooking and ripping techniques that made him one of the most feared wrestlers of all time. He was an absolute legend in Japan and all places were shooting ability is revered. He died in 2007 at age 82 in Florida.
The induction ceremony is the key part of the big weekend. It begins with a Celebrity Golf Tournament at noon Friday, July 10, and continues with a big pro card at Young Arena on Friday night, starting at 7. Harley Race and the WLW are putting the event together for the third straight year.
The official inductions will take place at noon on Saturday in the Gable museum. After the ceremony, fans will be able to meet with the inductees and former hall of famers in attendance.
The induction banquet takes place at 7 p.m. at the beautiful Five Sullivans Convention Center two blocks from the museum. Seating is limited and tickets are $60, and includes the souvenir program.
Dan Hodge, Class of 2000, and the only man to ever win national titles in both boxing and wrestling; he will be signing copies of his new book, “Oklahoma Shooter: Than Dan Hodge Story;
• Harley Race, Class of 2005 and eight-time NWA world heavyweight champion;
• Baron Von Raschke, Class of 2002, great star of the 1970s and ‘80s, who was third in the World as an amateur wrester;
• Bob Geigel, Class of 2002, former wrestling star and legendary Kansas City promoter;
• Mad Dog Vachon, Class of 2003; a former Canadian national amateur champion who wrestled in the 1948 Olympics before becoming a pro icon
• Larry “The Axe” Hennig, Class of 2006 and father of the late Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig, Class of 2007.
FRIDAY, JULY 10
10 a.m. – Museum opens (until 5 p.m.)
Noon – Celebrity Golf Tournament at Irv Warren Golf Course.
7 p.m. – Night of the Legends pro card at Young Arena
SATURDAY, JULY 11
10 a.m. – Museum Opens (until 5 p.m.)
Noon – Official inductions at museum, fan festival afterwards
7 p.m. – Banquet at Five Sullivan Brothers Center (advance tickets mandatory)
SUNDAY, JULY 12
9 a.m. – Museum opens (until noon
For more information, persons can contact Kent Sesker, marketing director, at 319-233-0745.
For more information on theThe Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum go here
To find out where you can check out more World League Wrestling. go to their website here.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 